To fridge or not to fridge?

[MattScott]

I look at the fridge as a luxury, but one that I use more than I thought I would.

Camping and off-road trips aside, I use it a few times a week when I go to the grocery store and to local farmer's markets. It allows me to add more flexibility to my schedule and I don't have to "run home" after shopping. I also always keep a few bottles of water in it which saves me a few bucks from running into the convenience store when I get gas.

 

[locrwln]

Going to have to agree with everyone else. Procrastinated for ever before buying one (Waeco CF-50) going on 6 years ago now, still going strong. Can't imagine doing witout it now. Like others, we use it for grocery shopping and of course camping as well. Even if it is only an over nighter, we take the fridge, they just work too well not to use them.

Get one and you will wonder why you waited so long. They are that awesome.

Jack

 

[Finatic Angler]

Thank you to all of the replies

I just ordered my fridge with wiring

Can't wait for it to arrive!

Jim

 

[kojackJKU]

I am going to buy a cooler/fridge from canadian tire to see how much I would use it. koolatron are the ones at walmart and mobicool are the canadian tire ones. both will work to see how I uuse them. Then if I find Im using one alot, I will get an arb.

 

[moabian]

I am going to buy a cooler/fridge from canadian tire to see how much I would use it. koolatron are the ones at walmart and mobicool are the canadian tire ones. both will work to see how I uuse them. Then if I find Im using one alot, I will get an arb.

I assume you know that the units you mentioned are thermoelectric coolers rather than compressor-driven fridges as discussed in this thread. There is a HUGE difference. I used a couple of them before I bought a real fridge/freezer and found them to be pretty much useless. They only cool to a certain number of degrees below ambient temperature...and they use substantially more power than a compressor-driven fridge. If it is 90 degrees outside, you will be extremely lucky to see 50-60 degrees inside the cooler. And even if it manages to cool to 30 degrees below ambient, it will take forever to get there. Your drinks, etc., may be cool...but not cold. In my opinion, you're better off with a standard cooler and some type of re-freezable ice-packs.

 

[Jay H]

I have a waeco and love it. My father just got an Engel and I really don't like that it has old analog thermost and low voltage disconnect. Its also a bit louder, all forgivable if it were cheaper... I have to say danfoss compressors and thermostats seem like the best and are available in a few different brands.

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

So it look as the fridge is going to work better than the cooler

Can I just plug the fridge (ARB) into the rear socket of my 14 wrangler unlimited? Or do I need a dedicated line?

I had a 2012 Sahara 2 door and had some problem with my Waeco cf 40 that it shuts of in high setting. This was with my 6 months old stock battery. I use the stock rear socket.

I have a cooler, it sucks. I think it draws 10 times more than my fridge. The food will be to hot in a cooler in summer.

I wanted a better battery for winter and such so I got the ODYSSEY Extreme Series Battery PC1220 that is a perfect fit for 2012 + wranglers and my fridge do not shut of anymore.

 

[RubiChris]

I'll throw my vote of support for ARB. I live in the desert and it has been really useful for both camping and running the 40 miles into town for groceries. Also, ARB customer support is exceptional! I had an issue with the DC power socket and emailed their support. In just a couple days I had a new cord. Impressive!

Edit: I purchased the ARB wiring kit and wired it direct. My rig didn't have an outlet in the back and I'd heard there were issues using the stock ones anyway.

 

[madmax718]

I bought a cf18- all analog, and it is small. Fine for 2 people for a few days, and it fits my type of traveling- which is mostly b-fast/quick lunches, and a dinner out, or something. Heck, a lot of my traveling is now done by sedan, and the Cf18 fits the bill well. I do use a deep cycle battery, and it gets charged either by solar or by the cigarette lighter. Just depends when, where and how long.

 

[madmax718]

I do believe the problem with these rear connectors is voltage drop- once the fridge senses a dropped voltage, it will shutdown. I get the same issue in my jeep. I found some Waeco documentation, and it recommended a battery inline close to the fridge itself I guess this makes sense, as the closer the battery is to the fridge the less voltage drop there could be.

 

[teotwaki]

I do believe the problem with these rear connectors is voltage drop- once the fridge senses a dropped voltage, it will shutdown. I get the same issue in my jeep. I found some Waeco documentation, and it recommended a battery inline close to the fridge itself I guess this makes sense, as the closer the battery is to the fridge the less voltage drop there could be.

A lot of cigarette lighter plugs and sockets are poorly executed and offer minimal contact area which can easily corrode and cause voltage loss. They have also been known to back out and lose contact when off roading. Anderson Power Poles, hard wiring, trolling motor plugs and other solutions are available. There is a good Expo thread here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/16842-12V-Socket-for-Fridges-clever-ones

 

[kojackJKU]

I assume you know that the units you mentioned are thermoelectric coolers rather than compressor-driven fridges as discussed in this thread. There is a HUGE difference. I used a couple of them before I bought a real fridge/freezer and found them to be pretty much useless. They only cool to a certain number of degrees below ambient temperature...and they use substantially more power than a compressor-driven fridge. If it is 90 degrees outside, you will be extremely lucky to see 50-60 degrees inside the cooler. And even if it manages to cool to 30 degrees below ambient, it will take forever to get there. Your drinks, etc., may be cool...but not cold. In my opinion, you're better off with a standard cooler and some type of re-freezable ice-packs.

thanks, I did not know there was a difference. I will look into it.

 

[mortonm]

Just made the jump and bought an Indel B 42L model

I ordered from Northern Fridge here in Ontario, great service and response time/shipping was borderline ridiculously fast. It is the Indel B 42L and comes with attachments for either AC or DC power. There is a small truck fridges logo near the display panel.

By my rough experiment it will hold at least 40 tall boy cans of beer, and yes that's an official unit of measure north of the border.

Here are a few pics inside and out, let me know if you anyone has any other questions or wants different angles







Fuse and power lead options



Blue light when opened



The compressor sits under the small grey bin, and is dead space

The centre divider of the basket comes out for larger items



The handles come separate, along with the two power cables

 

[bat]

x2 on Indel b

 

[Jay H]

That idel b truck fridge looks a lot like a waeco/dometic. This is very much a good good thing IMHO.